Dishwasher condenser system

ABSTRACT

DISHWASHING APPARATUS IS PROVIDED WITH A COLD WATER SUPPLY CONDUIT SO THAT AN INSIDE WALL CAN BE KEPT WET WITH A COLD WATER FILM DURING THE DRYING PORTION OF THE CYCLE IN ORDER TO CONDENSE THE WATER EVAPORATED FROM THE DISHES.

Nov. 28, 1972 w. G. LANDWIER DISHWASHER CONDENSER SYSTEM Original FiledJune 24, 1968 I NVENTOR. MAL/0M 6. lymph/w? M 0% United States PatentOflice 3,704,170 Patented Nov. 28, 1972 Int. Cl. BOS-b 3/02 US. Cl.134-25 A 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Dishwashing apparatus isprovided with a cold water supply conduit so that an inside wall can bekept wet with a cold water film during the drying portion of the cyclein order to condense the water evaporated from the dishes.

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 739,558, filed June 24,1968, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The invention relatesto apparatus, such as dishwashers, for washing and drying dishes and hasreference in particular to dishwashers having a water film condensingsystem.

Description of the prior art Dishwashing machines generally devote theterminal portion of the sequence of operations to a dish dryingoperation in which the moisture laden vapors are exhausted from thewashing chamber into the room atmosphere. Prior patents in the dishwaserart show little or no activity directed to overcoming this undesirablecharacteristic. The closest prior art is related to clothes dryerapparatus such as shown in Smith US. Pat. 2,717,456, issued Sept. 13,1955, and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention contemplates that dishwashingapparatus, wherein the dishes are washed with water and then dried byheat, be provided with a cold water film during the drying portion ofthe cycle in order to condense the water which is evaporated from thedishes. More particularly, the invention proposes that dishwashers beprovided with a cold water supply conduit and that an inside wall bekept wet with a cold water film for condensing the water evaporated fromthe dishes.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a condensingsystem for dishwashers which will essentially include a cold watersupply conduit, a solenoid valve and necessary piping for discharging afilm of cold water onto an interior wall of the dishwasher. A wide coldwater film on an interior wall of a dishwasher such as described hasproven effective in condensing the moisture with a relatively low heatinput and may possibly eliminate the need for a circulating fan.

Another object is to provide a film condensing system for a dishwasherwhich will simplify the cabinet construction by eliminating the need forvents and wherein the exhausting of hot air, water vapors and detergentodors will also be eliminated.

With these and various other objects in view the invention may consistof certain novel features of construction and operation as will be morefully described and particularly pointed out in the specification,drawings and claims appended thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings which illustrate anembodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are usedto designate like parts- FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a portion of adishwasher, partially in section, and illustrating the improvements ofthe invention; and,

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line2-2 of FIG. 1, and showing the cold water supply conduit for producingthe water film.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the embodiment of theinvention as shown in FIG. 1, the numeral 10 indicates the cabinet of adishwasher having side walls 11, a base portion 12, a top control panel13, and an interior washing and drying chamber 14. The side walls 11 ofthe dishwashing device may include an outer portion of insulatingmaterial 15 and an inner metal portion 16 having the characteristicsmooth surface and extending from top to bottom of the chamber. Theinner surface may be coated to provide proper corrosion resistance. Thebottom of the drying chamber 14 is formed by the bottom plate 17 whichprovides the sump 1'8. The supports within the drying chamber forsupporting the dishes are indicated by numerals 20, 21 and 22 and thespray arm for the washing water is indicated by the numeral 23. Accessmeans (not shown) is provided to permit access into the chamber forloading and unloading the articles being washed.

In accordance with the invention a cold water supply pipe or conduit 24communicates with a spray tube 25 located adjacent the inner portion 16of one wall within the drying chamber and more particularly in thevicinity of the top of the wall. The metal supports or brackets 26 areemployed for supporting the conduit from said wall. The said spray tube25 is provided with a plurality of spray openings 27 and the solenoidvalve 2 8 controlling flow of cold water to the spray tube 25 is locatedexteriorly of the drying chamber.

In the dishwashing apparatus as disclosed, the dishes are washed withhot water and then dried by heat. During the drying cycle the solenoidvalve 28 is energized to cause the same to open for spraying cold waterfrom the spray tube 25 and form a film 29 on the wall inner portion 16within the chamber 14. This interior wall surface of the dishwasher isthus kept wet by a film 29 of cold water as shown in FIG. 1. The coldwater film will effectively condense the water evaporated from thedishes during the drying cycle. The cold water and condensate will flowto the sump 18 and then to a drain (not shown).

Although the water film condensing system of the invention requires theaddition of a cold water valve with attendant piping, the constructionof the cabinet is, however, simplified by eliminating the need forvents. The exhausting of hot air, water vapors and detergent odors intothe room is thereby substantially eliminated.

The instant invention establishes a condition in a dishwasher dryingchamber by which the diiferential vapor pressure phenomenon is effectivefor achieving condensation of vapor from the dishwasher chamber. It isknown that the vapor pressure is highest at the hottest and wettestcondition and lowest at the coldest driest condition. It follows thenfrom the laws of physics that the forces seek to obtain equilibrium andthereby cause transmigration of vapor from the high vapor pressure areato the low vapor pressure area adjacent the water film, some of thevapor being in turn, condensed and discharged to drain. This condensingcycle may be accomplished in a chamber without intentional circulationof the air. Increased circulation of air, however, may be introduced byan auxiliary fan associated with the heater.

As a by-product of the present dishwasher condensing system, it may befound desirable to use the cold water supply for a preliminary coldwater rinse.

The invention is not to be limited to or by details of construction ofthe particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawing, as variousother forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilledin the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the claims.

- Iclaim:

1. A method of washing and drying articles in the sub stantialy closedchamber of a dishwashing apparatus comprising the steps: effectingoperation of movable means within said chamber for washing and rinsingarticles contained therein; interrupting operation of said movable meansand heating the air within said chamber to evaporate moisture from thearticles contained therein; injecting cold water into said chamber toform a cold water film on at least one wall thereof to inducecondensation of water vapor from the heated moisture-laden air withinsaid chamber; and circulating the water vapors within the chamber underthe sole influence of non-mechanically induced circulation including thedirecting of water vapors toward the cold water film under the influenceof differential vapor pressures.

2. A method of washing and drying articles in the substantially closedchamber of a dishwashing apparatus as defined in claim 1 and furtherincluding the step of maintaining said chamber substantially closed toprevent auxiliary circulation of air into and within said chamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS MORRIS O. WOLK, Primary ExaminerJ. T. ZATARGA, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 13437

